Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. —James 2:23.
Abraham's history would furnish abundance of matter for many discourses. It is full of rich and instructive incident. At present we shall only glance at those moral qualities which distinguished him as a good man, which have exalted him so highly in the rank of the ancient worthies, and which conferred upon him the truly honorable title of "The Friend of God."
Among the moral excellences of the venerable patriarch, we notice, that he was distinguished,
I. For strong and lively Faith in God
This was the basis of all his other excellences. He believed God. Believed all He revealed, however it might appear opposed to sense and reason; yet he believed, implicitly relied upon God's testimony. In this, he honored the divine power, the divine wisdom, the divine goodness and veracity He believed in God as all-sufficient, for the accomplishment of all that He had spoken. His faith, evidently, too, had especial respect to the promised seed, the world's Redeemer. "For by faith he looked forward, and saw Christ's day, and was glad." All true and acceptable piety must be reared on the same foundation. "Without faith it is impossible." He was distinguished,
II. For his prompt and uniform Obedience
His faith was living, and therefore it was productive of good works. He both believed God and obeyed Him. When called to leave his home and country he obeyed. When called to sacrifice his son, he obeyed. In short, he listened to the Lord's voice and walked in all His commandments.
True piety is a practical work; it is heard in the speech, and observed in the lives of God's people.
He was distinguished,
III. As a Man of public and private Devotion.
It is recorded on the pages of sacred history, that wherever he went, "he erected an altar to the Lord." He publicly worshipped the living God. He did not attempt to conceal his attachment to Jehovah of Hosts. See Gen. 12:7, and Gen. 13:18. God demands our public homage, our visible profession.
He also evidently cultivated family worship. In reference to him, God said: "For I know him, that he will command his children" (Gen. 18:19). And there can be no doubt, that as "the friend of God," in secret he would hold regular, and close, and constant communion with Him. He was distinguished,
IV. For his Condescension and Peacefulness.
There is no instance on record, of anything like lordly assumption and arrogance. How condescendingly he reasoned with Lot! and what an amiable pacific temper he displayed! Gen. 13:17. True religion is peaceable, gentle, and full of goodness. He was eminent,
V. For warm and genuine Hospitality.
He kindly entertained strangers, and thus had angels for his guests, unawares; Gen. 18:1; Heb. 13:2. He signalized himself,
VI. As a true and distinguished Philanthropist.
What a striking proof he gave of this, when he stood before the Lord, pleading on behalf of the devoted cities of the plain! Yes, his supplications on their behalf were so full of mercy, goodness, and sincerity, that, had there been but ten righteous persons in it, the displeasure and wrath of God would have been averted. True philanthropy is that which labors to engage heaven on the side of the miserable and distressed. He was distinguished,
VII. For Goodness in all his Relative Stations in Life.
He was a kind and tender husband, an affectionate father, and a humane and benevolent master. He set God before him; rejoiced to do His commandments; enjoyed His favor; and though not absolutely perfect, yet he was so truly devout and sincere, as to receive the exalted appellation of "the friend of God."
He died in a good old age, full of faith and good works; and was raised to a high and distinguished station among the spirits who surround the throne.
Application
Among the moral excellences of the venerable patriarch, we notice, that he was distinguished,
I. For strong and lively Faith in God
This was the basis of all his other excellences. He believed God. Believed all He revealed, however it might appear opposed to sense and reason; yet he believed, implicitly relied upon God's testimony. In this, he honored the divine power, the divine wisdom, the divine goodness and veracity He believed in God as all-sufficient, for the accomplishment of all that He had spoken. His faith, evidently, too, had especial respect to the promised seed, the world's Redeemer. "For by faith he looked forward, and saw Christ's day, and was glad." All true and acceptable piety must be reared on the same foundation. "Without faith it is impossible." He was distinguished,
II. For his prompt and uniform Obedience
His faith was living, and therefore it was productive of good works. He both believed God and obeyed Him. When called to leave his home and country he obeyed. When called to sacrifice his son, he obeyed. In short, he listened to the Lord's voice and walked in all His commandments.
True piety is a practical work; it is heard in the speech, and observed in the lives of God's people.
He was distinguished,
III. As a Man of public and private Devotion.
It is recorded on the pages of sacred history, that wherever he went, "he erected an altar to the Lord." He publicly worshipped the living God. He did not attempt to conceal his attachment to Jehovah of Hosts. See Gen. 12:7, and Gen. 13:18. God demands our public homage, our visible profession.
He also evidently cultivated family worship. In reference to him, God said: "For I know him, that he will command his children" (Gen. 18:19). And there can be no doubt, that as "the friend of God," in secret he would hold regular, and close, and constant communion with Him. He was distinguished,
IV. For his Condescension and Peacefulness.
There is no instance on record, of anything like lordly assumption and arrogance. How condescendingly he reasoned with Lot! and what an amiable pacific temper he displayed! Gen. 13:17. True religion is peaceable, gentle, and full of goodness. He was eminent,
V. For warm and genuine Hospitality.
He kindly entertained strangers, and thus had angels for his guests, unawares; Gen. 18:1; Heb. 13:2. He signalized himself,
VI. As a true and distinguished Philanthropist.
What a striking proof he gave of this, when he stood before the Lord, pleading on behalf of the devoted cities of the plain! Yes, his supplications on their behalf were so full of mercy, goodness, and sincerity, that, had there been but ten righteous persons in it, the displeasure and wrath of God would have been averted. True philanthropy is that which labors to engage heaven on the side of the miserable and distressed. He was distinguished,
VII. For Goodness in all his Relative Stations in Life.
He was a kind and tender husband, an affectionate father, and a humane and benevolent master. He set God before him; rejoiced to do His commandments; enjoyed His favor; and though not absolutely perfect, yet he was so truly devout and sincere, as to receive the exalted appellation of "the friend of God."
He died in a good old age, full of faith and good works; and was raised to a high and distinguished station among the spirits who surround the throne.
Application
- Let us choose the God of Abraham for our God.
- Let us imitate the righteous conduct of the pious patriarch. And let us,
- Expect to form a part of that innumerable throng, "who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
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